INTRODUCTION

GENERAL INFORMATION

MY OWN OBSERVATIONS

CONCLUSION

Introduction

This website has been created to document and disseminate information about the increase in the growth of ivy in the UK and the potential damage it can do to our trees. This situation seems to have worstened substantially in recent years, due to climate change.

I live in Australia. In 1996-7 I was in Norfolk (home of my youth) from Dec. through to the Spring, and I was certainly not aware of the ivy growing like it is now in Nov 2005- Jan 2006.

So I asked the following questions:-

(1) Does ivy eventually kill trees?
(2) If so how long does it take?
(3) At what stage is it too late to save tree?
(4) What research has been done on ivy?

Answers to 1,2 & 3, no one knows.
        “            4        very little.

There is a general belief that ivy only grows on sick or dying trees and does no harm, and that on healthy trees will grow happily together. My observation is that ivy will grow up anything in its path, be it tree, hedge, wall or telephone pole, to reach the light it needs to produce mature foliage (in order to flower and set seed). It does not differentiate on the health of a wall or tree.

Around England in 4 Days

As January is a good month for seeing the bones of the countryside, I decided to see how ivy was growing in other parts of the UK. I took the train from Kings Lynn in Norfolk to London and was shocked by the vigorous growth of ivy on what seemed like three-quarters of the trees and bushes.

The next day I trained to Plymouth via Reading & Exeter. The ivy was growing everywhere up trees of all sizes regardless of age. Of course there were some trees with none. My return journey took me via Bristol and Bath. The ivy situation in Bath was bad news. Ivy was already high in the tree crowns. Wonderful trees that come right down into the city. How long would it take for the trees to be completely smothered?

The 3rd day I journeyed to Newcastle. It really appeared that ivy growth was less the further north we went. Even so every now and then there were patches of trees totally smothered.

In one place I noticed a small wood where ivy had started in one corner. The rest of the wood was clear.

Then as the train pulled into Newcastle, we passed a graveyard that had a fine stand of ash growing along the railway line, with ivy growing up them as lush as anywhere.

Then on to Carlisle. The rail track runs along the river Tyne. Once more my heart sank when I saw the state of ivy growth, on the mostly alder trees along the banks of the river.

Next day back to London, the train went via the Eden valley. Being sheep country and high up there was virtually no ivy. But on the lower ground ivy was again everywhere.

On this round trip to the north of England I only saw 2 places where owners had killed ivy on big trees. And only one place where oak and ash had been planted in the hedgerows about 15 years ago.